Page 62 of Captured By the Fae

“He’s your king. You had to obey,” I said.

I hated it, but I understood it. All of it—that Ren had tried to keep me safe, that Nylah was loyal to him…and that this could be the end.

Nylah stepped forward and hugged me. The warmth that flowed from her enveloped me. Her magic warmed me from the inside, and I knew she was using magic to drive the sorrow away.

She just didn’t know how deep it went because she didn’t know how in love I was with Ren.

24

Ifell back into a normal routine. I woke up early, ate, trained, showered and ate, and trained again. My heart wasn’t in it. I was going through the motions, because I’d promised I would always be here and do what needed to be done to be a warrior for the King.

I was worried about him. Nylah told me he was doing better, but I couldn’t see him again. He was unconscious most of the time, and the few times he was awake, Nylah didn’t want anyone to bother him. He needed his rest.

A part of me was wilting, and I didn’t know why. Was it because Ren had nearly died, and I hadn’t been there to help him? Or was it because after it all, I’d finally poured my heart out to him, but he would never know?

I tried not to think about it too much.

When I came into my room a few days later, sweaty and tired after training hard with the warriors, I was at my end. I’d been through a hell of a lot in my life, having fought tooth and nail to survive since birth. I’d never felt like this, though. I’d never had to get out of my own way because I was dragging myself down.

I drew a bath and lay in salts and minerals until the water went cold before I climbed out. I dried my hair and wrapped the towel around my body to find clothes in my closet.

When I opened the bathroom door, Ren stood in my room.

“Oh, Goddess,” I breathed. “You’re here.”

He nodded. He was tall and upright as always, albeit a little less broad than usual. He’d been through a lot. He’d fought to stay alive, and it showed.

I forgot I was in a towel and rushed to him. I stopped in front of him, keeping myself from grabbing him and holding on tight.

“You don’t know how relieved I am.”

“If it’s anything like what I feel, I think I do,” Ren said.

He smiled at me, and my stomach tightened.

“What happened?” I asked.

He shook his head. “It’s not important.”

“You nearly died,” I said. “Of course it’s important.”

“It’s not worth talking about.”

I was getting frustrated. “After all that, you’re going to leave me in the dark?”

“All what?” Ren asked.

“Why are you being such a pain in my ass? Do you have any idea how worried I was about you? Do you know what it was like waiting every day for them to tell me you were dead?” I bristled. “You don’t get to stand here and tell me it’s not important. Hell, Ren, this is a matter of—”

“I know,” he said softly. “It’s been rough on you.”

“On all of us,” I whispered.

“But I’m here. I didn’t die. I’m okay.”

I wanted to speak, but he shook his head and brushed his thumb across my lips.

“You can’t do that,” I said. But my voice was already breathy.

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